Capiz Resident Hides Under ‘Sulakob’ Out of Fear of Typhoon Opong
A resident in Sapian, Capiz builds a ‘Sulakob’ or bunker out of fear to protect himself from Typhoon Opong.
A resident of Sitio Bulon, Barangay Bilao, found a unique way to protect himself from Typhoon Opong. Out of fear of the storm, he dug a hole and built what locals call a “sulakob,” a term in Capisnon that means a bunker.
Recently, Facebook user Raphael Leonor, a Barangay Captain, shared photos of the resident’s temporary shelter. The post immediately spread like wildfire on social media and garnered various reactions from the online community.
In the photos, the man can be seen taking refuge in his improvised dugout while heavy rains and winds battered their community. Sapian was placed under Signal Number 3 during the typhoon, but fortunately, no casualties were reported.
The “sulakob” is not something new to the people of Capiz. For decades, residents have used this kind of shelter, especially during wars and destructive storms. In the past, families relied on sulakobs when evacuation centers were too far or unsafe.
The tradition continued through the years, resurfacing whenever strong typhoons threatened the province.
Locals say that while the sulakob may look simple, it provides a sense of security. Being underground helps reduce the impact of strong winds and flying debris, giving residents a chance to feel safer in times of danger.
The foxhole reminds us of the resourcefulness of Filipinos, especially in rural areas where options are often limited.
Many netizens praised the resident’s ingenuity, while others hoped that better and safer evacuation facilities would be made available so people would not need to rely on makeshift shelters during storms.
Here is the full post:
“Sa kahadlok sa Bagyo nga Opong ang isa ka residente sang sitio bulon barangy Bilao nag bakwit sa ila nga gin obra nga SULAKOB..
Nababatian ko lang dati ang SULAKOB, hasta subong gali may ara pa…
SULAKOB gidman ang tawag sini KaBarangay?”
In a previous post, floodwaters enter homes in Maasin City as severe tropical storm Opong brings heavy rain
The social media users expressed their reactions to the post:
